About the Author: Jose W. Fernandez serves as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs.

On Thursday, April 28, Panamanian President Martinelli visited the White House and met with President Obama to discuss next steps with regard to the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement. This visit and the Trade Promotion Agreement build on a tradition dating back to 1906, when President Teddy Roosevelt traveled to Panama — becoming the first U.S. president to leave the country while in office.

President Roosevelt was traveling to inspect the progress of U.S. construction of “the path between the seas” that would become the Panama Canal. The United States operated the Panama Canal for over 90 years, establishing close and enduring people-to-people contacts. In 1999, Panama became the owner and operator of the Canal, but our strong ties and shared history continue to bind us — the United States remains the Canal’s largest beneficiary. Approximately two-thirds of the… more »